I Don't Agree to the Terms

"I feel... a bit stuffed," Tang Wen said after devouring three big bites, causing a third of the moon's afterimage to disappear directly.

What Tang Wen was eating was never the real second moon but the concept of the second moon, so it was normal for him to feel stuffed.

Once this concept disappeared, it wasn't just the moon that was affected but also people's cognition related to it. Luckily, Gu Shanhai had set some limits beforehand; otherwise, it wouldn't just be indigestion, but Tang Wen likely wouldn't have been able to finish eating at all since being too full could mean forcefully stuffing it down might not even be possible.

"If it doesn't work..." Gu Shanhai hesitated, wanting to suggest taking it slow.

But Tang Wen, his forehead veins bulging, directly refused Gu Shanhai, "No, it must... all be eaten."

In Tang Wen's mind, precisely because it was difficult to eat, giving up halfway would certainly cause great harm.

"It's not like it will kill me to be stuffed!"

As he spoke, another two-thirds of the moon's afterimage disappeared, clearly showing that the big bite he had just forced down was also done gritting his teeth.

This even made Tang Wen roll his eyes.

However, compared to rolling his eyes, his transformation was quite severe at this moment, looking more like a white beast.

It was like when Xia Zhang became Sunshooter; the bronze lava and sun injuries on his body were part of an abnormal transformation.

Tang Wen naturally noticed his own mutations, simply considering them as aftereffects of swallowing the second moon.

Crack...

With the final bite, the moon's afterimage completely disappeared, and following this, Tang Wen completed his transformation into the true Abnormal·Taotie, retaining a slight humanoid silhouette, but overall, he looked more like a huge white beast, still a member of the canine family.

'Tengu eating the moon?' Four characters suddenly emerged in Gu Shanhai's mind.

'I've ripped off Hou Yi shooting the sun, and now there's a Tengu eating the moon? So, maybe this Taotie should be called Tengu... Well, Tengu really isn't suitable.'

"I haven't felt this sense of fullness in a long time," Tang Wen collapsed on the ground, his belly bulging as if he had really swallowed the moon.

"By the way, Mr. Gu, is there any way I can change back?" Tang Wen struggled to get up, finding it uncomfortable to move after being overfed, then looked at his transformed body with a strange expression.

Turning from a normal person into a white-furred beast was indeed a bit hard to accept.

"We will conduct targeted research and will try to find a way to change you back," Gu Shanhai said, which was just an empty promise. Changing back was not easy at all. Didn't they see that even when Gu Shanhai became Abnormal, he relied on transformative rebirth and a skin-cloak, and Rein only returned to a human-like appearance because of his protagonist's fate?

Tang Wen's situation basically meant that recovery was out of the question.

But still, he had to paint a big picture for him.

"Oh, but I've found that after swallowing the second moon, my abilities seem to have grown stronger. Before, trying to devour intangible concepts was difficult, but now it seems to be instinctual," Tang Wen hesitated before finally revealing his concern about possibly becoming aberrant.

"It's probably because your transformation has intensified since you can even devour intangible concepts," Gu Shanhai offered some consolation.

Just then, Tang Wen opened his mouth, then with some confusion said, "Strange, why can't I devour diseases, fatigue, and the like on you, Mr. Gu?"

"Oh, I don't have such things. Due to excessive exposure to abnormalities, I'm half-abnormal myself. Who knows, maybe I'll become fully abnormal someday," Gu Shanhai said nonchalantly.

At this, Tang Wen didn't quite know what to say.

"Alright, you should go rest now. You've worked hard this time. The Emperor will not slight you; you and your family will be rewarded and awarded accordingly," Gu Shanhai assured that they would take care of the heroes.

"Thank you, Mr. Gu, for speaking highly of me in front of the Emperor." Although Tang Wen was somewhat displeased with his transformation, he had no choice but to accept it, At least things looked good now. Although his appearance became rough, it could still be considered an honor to his ancestors.

After sending Tang Wen back, Gu Shanhai also hurriedly departed.

However, before leaving, he arranged for someone to properly settle Tang Wen, who had now become one of the major trump cards in the human camp, truly living up to the name "Taotie."

"Is it resolved? That was fast?" Rein was somewhat shocked upon hearing Gu Shanhai's account.

He had been paying attention to the moon issue, yet had not found any viable solutions, and didn't expect it to genuinely be resolved by the "Abnormal·Taotie."

"Yes, so next, you need to think about how to reward him. After all, he no longer retains his human form; if not properly mollified, there could be trouble," Gu Shanhai knew something well—while promising grandeur, one must not just talk but also provide other awards to inspire, rather than only talking the talk and doing nothing.

Rein didn't respond immediately as he tapped his index finger on the table, considering his options.

After about five minutes, Rein finally spoke, "Teacher, I want to take this opportunity to promote artificial anomalies to the forefront."

"???" Gu Shanhai was completely bewildered. Why would he suddenly say that?

"The number and strength of anomalies continue to grow, Hou Yi has fallen into slumber, and Taotie is satiated, meaning all current strategic level artificial anomalies can't be reused."

"If we bring artificial anomalies to the forefront and recruit through artificial means, it might bring about a prosperous era."

Rein's idea was simple: if everyone were alike as artificial anomalies, there would be no discrimination or oppression, and their collective civilization would be indestructible.

"You make the decision; I won't interfere in this matter. I'm just here to report Tang Wen's merits," Gu Shanhai didn't care about these concerns; after all, the Emperor was Rein, not him. He had no business meddling in governance, but he did remind Rein, "Just make sure you have a plan for failure and backup solutions."

This was no minor scheme but a grand plan.

It would undoubtedly cause disturbances throughout the entire dynasty.

"I will plan carefully, heroes should enjoy the treatment they deserve, not remain unknown." What Rein considered was that whether it was Xia Zhang or Tang Wen, the two had made significant contributions and should not forever be synonymous with the Golden Crow incident or the lunar eclipse incident, but rather receive due commendation in the limelight.

What about stability?

With these incessant anomalies, where could stability possibly come from? If those two hadn't successfully resolved the sun and moon anomalies, humanity might have been extinct, making any stability moot.

Moreover, pushing this into public view could allow more people to voluntarily become artificial anomalies to combat the increasingly powerful future anomalies; otherwise, following Gu Shanhai's previous covert methods would eventually lead to a downfall. Sometimes, being overt could make one unassailable.

"You be happy; I don't mind. I still have a project concerning Artificial Anomaly·Holy Land to deal with," Gu Shanhai didn't have that much free time, only dealing with anomalies that could threaten civilization as a whole. Everything else was managed by the Twelve Offices.

Besides, he refrained from meddling or commenting on matters of institutional decrees.

After chatting a bit more with Rein, Gu Shanhai then left.

He subsequently took out a piece of material that looked like moonlight; it was a part of the moon. Gu Shanhai had intercepted some when Tang Wen swallowed the moon.

"With this item, combined with a part of the sun, it should be usable as raw material for the 'Child Skill' type of Martial Arts Divine Power."

Gu Shanhai was definitely planning to gain from this, as he had set his sights on it since the moon began transforming.